In this week's episode of The Press Box, Craig and James look back on the side's 1-0 defeat away to Shelbourne at Tolka Park and ahead to this Thursday's visit of Sligo Rovers to Oriel Park. The lads discuss the importance of heading into the break on a high and what options Jon Daly has at his disposal given the current injury problems in the squad. All that, and more, in this week's podcast.

Sponsored by The Unit.

In this week's episode of The Press Box, Craig and James meet up with two old faces from Oriel Park, former Dundalk player and Academy Manager Stephen McDonnell and ex-Sporting Director Jim Magilton for a wide ranging chat about their careers, views on the game and their rocky period at the club in 2021. This special extended edition was recorded at The Unit offices with a brief guide of the topics covered below...

• 0.00 – Intro and Derry/Pat’s recap
• 5.36 – Stephen McDonnell on Glenavon’s season and prospects going forward
• 7.48 – Jim and Stephen’s relationship currently
• 9.33 – Growth of the league in Northern Ireland
• 12.30 – Stephen’s playing career – the move to Celtic
• 16.46 – Coming home to Dundalk
• 19.54 – Early retirement at 22
• 22.00 – Surviving the drop
• 26.00 – European nights and fairytale moments
• 28.42 – Stephen at Shels
• 30.14 – First management role at Warrenpoint
• 33.32 – Rebuilding squads
• 38.36 – Respect as a young coach
• 41.48 – Appointing Stephen as Academy Manager
• 47.55 – Building academies
• 1.01.30 – The art of the number 6 and free spirits
• 1.07.43 – The Anfield Dream
• 01.13.33 – Hillsborough
• 01.19.05 – The Leaving of Liverpool
• 01.20.38 – Le Tissier
• 01.24.18 – Grey shirts and Ali Dia
• 01.26.57 – Ipswich journey
• 01.32.00 – Northern Ireland, Windsor Park November 1993
• 01.35.02 – Sporting Director at Dundalk
• 01.38.15 – The villain
• 01.41.05 – Signings
• 01.44.14 – Target on your back
• 01.46.53 – Working in a difficult environment
• 01.50.52 – Mental press conferences
• 01.54.07 – Managing the team
• 01.56.00 – The Belfast trip
• 01.57.10 – Accusations and agendas
• 02.02.22 – Fighting fires
• 02.04.32 – Vinny
• 02.06.28 – Moving on
• 02.09.36 – What came after
• 02.14.00 – Jon Daly and the current season
• 02.15.33 – Life is good

In this week's episode of The Press Box, Craig and James reflect on Jon Daly's appointment as Dundalk's third manager of 2024 and the challenges that await him. There's also a look back on Friday's 2-0 defeat away to Galway Utd and ahead to this weekend's double header at home to Derry City and away to St Patrick's Athletic - with some old Lilywhite favourites amongst the opposition in both. All that, and more, in this week's podcast.

Sponsored by The Unit.